• Vision - The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists ... the national voice and recognized resource for speech-language pathology and audiology.
• Mission - The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists…supporting and empowering our members to maximize the communication and hearing potential of the people of Canada.
  

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Clinical Certification & Professional Standards
Striving for excellence...

• Clinical certification is voluntary and is a status and benefit open to members of the association that many speech-language pathologists, audiologists, employers and clients highly value. Clinically certified members of the association must be current members in good standing and be committed to meeting continuing education requirements.
• CASLPA's national professional code of ethics sets forth fundamental values, principles and standards to guide members' professional conduct and to help maintain public accountability and credibility.
• The national professional scope of practice provides a description of the scope of practice for the profession of speech-language pathology, highlighting the broad range of services provided.
• CASLPA is a member of the Council on Accreditation for the Canadian University Programs in audiology and S-LP ensuring the quality of higher education and strengthening the educational preparation of audiologists and S-LPs.
  

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Research
Supporting your profession...

• CASLPA surveyed speech-language pathology members in private practice regarding fees charged for private services. The survey provides quality insights into the practices of private practice speech?language pathologists with regard to fees, policies, and procedures. The result of the survey can be viewed in the 2011 Private Practice Fee Survey Report in the members only section of the CASLPA website.
• CASLPA surveyed its members in speech-language pathology, audiology, and supportive personnel self-identified in the membership database as working in the educational sector. In response to concerns expressed in membership surveys about poor working conditions and the lack of guidelines for members of our professions working in schools, CASLPA conducted a survey in February 2011 to gather information on working conditions in schools. The results of the survey led to recommendations for working conditions that members can use as guidelines. View the report on the CASLPA members only section of the website.
• With funding from Health Canada, CASLPA carried out a project from December 2010 to April 2011 to collect information on speech, language and hearing services for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Children. The project resulted in three reports which are available on the CASLPA website.
• CASLPA clinical research grants, available to members only, are awarded annually and support an increase in the clinical evidence base in the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.
• The results of the 2008 salary & benefit survey were used to produce a report to inform speech-language pathologists about compensation trends in their sector and to help S-LPs make comparisons with the salary and benefits level of their peers.
• CASLPA conducts a membership survey every three years. The results of the 2011 survey will be used by the CASLPA Board of Directors in developing the 2012-2014 strategic plan for the association.
• CASLPA's university survey is used as a resource for potential students seeking information on Canadian programs and used to monitor important trends that may affect the profession now and in the future.
• Inclusion in Canada's Health Care Providers Reference Guide, 2008. This document provides aggregate, supply-based trend information by province/territory and year for 24 health occupations in Canada including speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
• CASLPA Members can access links to relevant evidence based research in the Cochrane Collaboration.
  

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Continuing Education
Professional development and networking...

• The 2012 CASLPA conference is being held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador from May 9 to May12. Several webcast sessions from previous CASLPA annual conferences are available on CASLPA's website.
• CASLPA brings a world of learning to your fingertips with online learning opportunities.
• Check out monthly workshops and conferences on the "coming events" section of the CASLPA website.
  

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Advocacy and Lobbying
Projects and initiatives to advocate on your behalf…

• A press conference on Parliament Hill launched CASLPA's position paper on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (2010), advocating for access to hearing screening for all babies in Canada.
• CASLPA's lobbying efforts were instrumental in ensuring changes in regulations regarding a reduction in the maximum allowable decibel levels for toys. CASLPA appeared as a witness to the Health Committee to provide input into Bill C-6 (Consumer Product and Safety Act) on this issue. Members of Parliament are now very aware of the important role that audiologists play regarding hearing health.
• CASLPA is leading a Concerned about Classrooms Coalition to enhance the learning environment of students and vocal health of teachers through proposed amendments to the National Building Code. The role of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is featured in this advocacy effort.
• CASLPA attended a Liberal Roundtable entitled "the Health of Canadians; 2017" on January 29, 2010 on Parliament Hill hosted by Carolyn Bennett (Liberal Health Critic) and Kirsty Duncan (Liberal Public Health Critic) looking at health goals feedback on potential priorities for the Liberal party platform and was a key opportunity to talk about the importance of early identification of communication disorders (CASLPA's lobbying priority for 2010).
• CASLPA is a member of the Health Action Lobby (HEAL) with 37 other national health organizations who are currently advocating on the key area of health human resources.
• CASLPA is a member of the Canadian Coalition for Public Health in the 21st Century, Mental Health Table and Group of 7 Health professions. All groups work collaboratively to impact federal policy. Through the G7 - key issues of human resources, access to services and education and training were brought forward to the Minister of Health.
• CASLPA members have access to advocacy and lobbying toolkits to assist with provincial/territorial or regional lobbying efforts. The tools can help members make contact with government officials to ensure key speech, language, swallowing and hearing issues are addressed.
  

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Public Awareness
Raising your profile…

• CASLPA developed a consumer website, speechandhearing.ca, designed to provide the public with quick and easy access to basic information and resources about communication and other related disorders. For individuals requiring the services of our professionals, this site can put them directly in touch with an expert through our "Find a Professional" database.
• Television, radio and print public service announcements featuring speech-language pathology raises awareness about the issues of speech, language and hearing disorders and to help direct those with communication problems, and their family and friends, to our national website and our network of members (to view ads click here).
• As part of CASLPA's physicians awareness campaign 50,000 growth charts and brochures of speech-language and hearing milestones were distributed to physicians and early childhood education centres nationwide (growth chart and brochure available on our website).
  

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Publications and communication
Keeping you informed...

• CASLPA's professional quarterly journal, the Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (CJSLPA) publishes clinical, educational and research articles, clinical practice and technical notes, review of professional resources and commentaries on professional issues.
• Communiqué, CASLPA's quarterly newsletter, provides a forum for the exchange of information between CASLPA members.
• CommunE-cate, our monthly e-news bulletin, updates members on association news.
• Get all the latest news about CASLPA and the professions on

  Facebook: tinyurl.com/caslpaonfacebook
  Twitter: twitter.com/CASLPA
  YouTube: youtube.com/user/CASLPA

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Insurance Programs
Covering your interests...

• A large membership base allows CASLPA to negotiate the best possible rates for you on a variety of insurance packages including home and auto with TD Insurance Meloche Monnex and life and extended health with Manulife Financial.
  

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Resources
Supporting you in your practice…

• CASLPA Position Papers keep you abreast of emerging issues and include position statement on outcome measure, Adult Dysphagia (2007), The Use of Telepractice for CASLPA Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (2006), Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in the Multicultural, Multilingual context (1997).
• PowerPoint presentations were developed for school based S-LPs and S-LPs working with seniors which can be used by our members as a general information tool for a variety of audiences.
• Updated CASLPA information sheets (patient focused) are available on CASLPA's website.
• May Speech and Hearing Month materials including a May Month Marketing Kit are available on CASLPA's website. Materials include media release, publicity tips, celebration ideas, ad mats, public service announcements, assorted fact sheets and feature stories, poster, clip art sheet, photo gallery and much more.
  

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International Recognition
Helping you go global...

CASLPA has negotiated mutual recognition agreements for CASLPA clinically certified speech-language pathologists, which help you in becoming recognized in other countries, with the following professional associations:

• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (United Kingdom)
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (United States)
• Speech Pathology Australia
• New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association
• Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists
  

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Awards
Recognizing your achievements and contribution to the profession...

• The CASLPA awards program annually honours deserving individuals in eleven categories. Recipients are presented with awards at the CASLPA banquet held during the annual CASLPA conference.
  

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Discount Programs
Offering you savings...

• CASLPA has signed partnership agreements with several companies (ASHA, Nelson Education Ltd., GoodLife Fitness, MBNA Canada and Hotel Management International) to provide you with significant savings and discounts.
  

Discounts

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www.caslpa.ca website
Providing you easy access to information...

• CASLPA maintains a first class website offering you features such as a chat room to post and answer questions, a career advertising section, and a members only section with resources including a national membership directory, progress reports on CASLPA initiatives, the annual report and electronic copies of publications.

 

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